Method of and apparatus for producing radio tube grids



H. KERSHAW METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Dec.15, 1936.

Filed Jan. 3, 1936 11 $heets-$heet 1 Dec. 15, 1936. H, KERSHAW'2,064,169

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Dec. 15, 1936. 2,064,169

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS H. KYERSHAW FiledJa n. s, 1936 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 15, 1936. H. KERSHAW METHOD OF ANDAPPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Filed Jan. 3, 1936 llSheets-Sheet 4 1 H6122? Kai-5m H. KERSHAW 2,064,169

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Dec. 15, 1936.

11 Sheets-$heet 5 Filed Jan. 3, 1936 w a & mm m 5% mm Dec. 15, 1936. VH. KERSHAW' 2,064,169.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS 4 4 Zi/ HenryKrafiawr 5 1 222 1 n A\ Z I 66m Dec. 15, 1936. H. KERSHAW 2,054,169

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE'GRIDS Filed Jan. 3,1936 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 Ema/who'd Dec. 15, 1936. KERSHAW 2,064,169

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Filed Jan. 3,1936 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 WMMM Strum/ Dec. 15, 1936. H. K ERSHAW 2,064,169

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Filed Jan.' 3,1936 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Henry lfenshzw Q Dec. 15, 1936. H. KERSHAW METHODOF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RA DIO TUBE GRIDS Filed. Jan. 3, 1936 llSheets-Sheet 10 Zrskaou Gum/M Dec. 15, 1936. H. KERSHAW 2,064,169

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Filed Jan. 3,1936 11 S heets-Sheet 11 4&- F21). 49

i 2' I 12 32. as f Patented ee. 15 i935 UNITED STATES METHOD OF ANDAPPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Henry Kershaw, Newark, N. J.,assignor to Sovereign Machinery Company, Newark, N. 1..

corporation of New Jersey Application January 3,

'600laims.

My invention relates to a method of and ma; chine for producing radiotube grids.

An important object of the invention is to provide a method of the abovementioned character which will accurately space the grid wires upon theside rods.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of. the abovementioned character which will produce an initial stretching action uponthe grid wires to take up slack, just prior to attaching the same to theside rods, and which will subsequently stretch or expand the grid tospace the same, prior to the completion of the grid and its severancefrom the remaining grid 5 or grids.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the abovementioned character, which may be employed in the practice oi the methodshown in Letters Patent 2,004,246,

20 granted to me under date of June 11, 1935, and

of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designatelike parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same,

Figure 3 is an end elevation, parts in section,

Figure 3a is a perspective view of the welding jaws and associatedclamping jaws,

Figure 3b is a horizontal section taken on line 3b3b of Figure 3a,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the main cam shaft and associatedelements driven thereby,

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of the means to form the spacedgrooves upon the side rods, and associated elements,

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the means to form the spacedgrooves upon the side rods,

Figure '7 is a transverse section taken on line 1-1 of Figure 5, y

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevation of the notching teethof the groove form-- ing means,

Figure 8a is an enlarged side elevation of one side rod,

Figure 9 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 9-9 of Figure5, with the groove forming means retracted,

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the groove formissasenai No. 51,444

ing means, showing the same in the projected position and engaging theside rods,

Figure 11 is a vertical section through a modifled form of side rodgripping and welding'means,

the same being a view similar to Figure 9,

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the comb devices and associatedelements,

Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view 'of one 01' the comb devices,

Figure 14 is a transverse section taken on line [4-H of Figure 12,Figure 15 is a longitudinal section taken lB-IS of Figure 14,

Figure 16 is a perspective view 0! the mandrel and associated elements,

Figure 17 is a central vertical longitudinal section through themandrel, parts in elevation, Figure 18 is an exploded perspective viewof .the mandrel,

Figure 19 is a transverse section taken l9-i9 of Figure 17,

Figures a, a, b, b, b", c, c',-c", d, d, d",

on line on line a, e', e", f, f are diagrammatic views illustrating theseveral steps of the operation of the machine and in thepractice of themethod,

Figure 20 is a plan view of a modified form of apparatus for producingthe grids, the same being shown partly diagrammatic,

Figure 21 is a front elevation of the same,

P rts. in section, I

Figure 22 is a detailed section taken on line 22-22 of Figure 24,

Figure 23 is a transverse section taken on line 23-23 0! Figure 20,

Figure 24 is a perspective view of the expansible mandrel and associatedelements,

Figure 25 is a fragmentary section through the notching jaws, showingthe ejector plungers,

Figure 26 is a plan view of one of the notching jaws, showing theejector plungers,

Figure 27 is a transverse section taken on line 21-21 of Figure 21,

Figure 28 is a plan view, partly diagrammatic, oi the expansible mandreland associated elements, showing the side rod holding slide in theforward or projected position'upon the mandrel element, upon thebeginning oi the feeding movement of the side rods, with the mandrelarranged at position A between the grid wires,

Figure 29 is a similar view with the side rods fed into the passage ofthe mandrel and the side rod holding slide in the retracted position,

Figure 30 is a similar view, showing the side rods cut and held withinthe passage of the mandrel d mandrel advanced to position 3,

2| and'bas 20 are further connected by webs 22, as shown.

Arranged upon one side of the plate 2| is an upstanding reel 23, Figure3, carried by a vertical arm 24, in turn mounted upon a slide 2!arranged within a stationary guide 24, rigidly mounted upon the base 20.The slide has av longitudinal slot 21, Figure 2, for receiving aclamping screw 28, engaging within a screwthreaded opening 29 formed inthe stationary guide 26. Clamping bolt 23 carries a winged head 30permanently secured thereto. By turning the winged head 30, the slide 25may be longitudinally adjusted throughout the length of the slot 21 andclamped at selected adjusted positions. The slide about a right angle tothe original position.

25 carries a guidepin 3|, depending therefrom and rigidly securedthereto, and this pin is provided with a head 32, and is slidable withinan elongated slot 33 formed in the extended bottom 34 of the guide 26.This extended bottom has a stop 35. It is thus seen that by removing thebolt 28 from within the screw-threaded opening 29, slide 25 may be movedlongitudinally and outwardly to disengage the sides of the guide 26,while it remains upon the bottom extension 34, and is pivotallyconnected therewith by means of pin 3|, so that the slide may be turnedupon the bottom extension 34 to assume a position at The function ofthis construction is to provide means whereby access may be had toelements carried by the reel 23, as will be explained. The reel 23pivotally supports a suitable number of spools 36, carrying the gridwires.

Rigidly attached to the sides 23' of the reel 23 are spaced superposedhorizontal arms 3I, Figure 3, the connection being effected by screws 38or the like. The arms 38 in each pair are parallel and are preferablyrigid. The numeral 40 designates pairs of leaves, hinged to the arms 38,at 4|, Figure 9, to be swung to opened and closed positions, withrelation thereto. When in the closed position, these arms convergeforwardly,

and engage stationary stops 42, rigidly secured to tracks 65, to bedescribed The leaves 40 are permanently pivotally connected with thearms 38, and are normally retained in the inner position in contact withthe stops 42 by the pulling action of the grid wires, but these leavesare free to swing outwardly to clear the tracks 65, when the arms 33 arewithdrawn, to afford access to the combs.

The leaves 40 carry combs 44', which are identical. Each pair of leaves40 are included in a yoke comprising a bar 45, provided centrallythereof with an opening 46 to receive a pivot stud 41 of the combhousing 48. This comb housing is provided at its ends and at its bottomwith cars 49 having curved slots 50, concentric with the pivot stud 41,and receiving clamping bolts 5| engaging the bar 45. It is thus seenthat the comb housingmay be turned or angularly adjusted upon the pivotstud 41 and locked in the selected adjusted position by manipulation ofthe clamping bolts 5|. The comb housing is provided with a longitudinalgroove 53 for slidably receiving a. comb bar 54. The groove also formsouter stationary comb bars 53. The inner comb bar and outer stationarycomb bars 35 are transversely milled to provide transverse slots 53,which are equi-distantly spaced and are the same width. These slots arewider than the diameter of the grid wire to be handled The grid wires 31pass through the slots of the outer stationary comb bars and the inneradjustable comb bar, and the inner comb bar is longitudinally adjustedwith respect to the outer comb bars, until the grid wires are broughtinto sliding engagement with corresponding walls of the slots in the,outer comb bars. The inner sliding comb bar is then locked in thisadjusted position by means of screws 31, engaging within screw-threadedopenings 58 in the comb housing, and having their heads 53 projectinglaterally over the ends of the sliding comb bar, to engage therewith. Inorder that the grid wires may not move out of the transverse slots ofthe several comb bars, a sliding cover 60 is provided, the bevellededges of which operate within under-cut grooves GI formed upon the innerfaces of the outercomb bars, the sliding cover preferably having anupstanding extension 62 to facilitate its adjustment.

The sliding cover is removed when the grid wires is adjustable so thatwires in sets of varying diameters, are held accurately equi-distantlyspaced, and the distance between the wires so held, may be varied byangularly adjusting the comb housing. The grid wires 31 pass from thespools 36 to the combs, as stated, and engage guide rollers 63.

The plate 2| is provided with an opening 64, through which the arms 33project, and also stationary tracks or guides 65, which are rigidlysecured to flanges 65', Figures 5 and 12, bolted to the plate 2|, asshown at 56. The arms 38 preferably engage the outer edges of thestationary guides 65, and the arms 33 have screw-threaded openingsformed in the same near their free ends for carrying locking bolts 61,adapted to engage within screw-threaded openings 63, formed in theguides or tracks 65, when the arms 33 have been shifted forwardly to thecompletely adjusted position, thus rigidly holding the forward endportions of the arms 33 against movement.

Means are provided to notch the side rods, for receiving the grid wires.This means comprises a sliding yoke-carriage 69, Figures 5, 6, 9, 10,operating within the tracks or guides 65. This yoke-carriage is providednear its rear end with a transverse pivot pin 10, operating within slotsll formed in the forked end I2 of a lever 13, to

be more fully described. The notching means arm by means of pin 15, asstated, but these parts do not cross. When the rear ends of the arms I8are spread, the forward ends of the jaw heads 14 will be movedtogether.At their rear ends, the arms 16 have bevelled faces II, to be engaged bya pin or spreading element 13, extending across the yoke-carriage 68 andrigidly secured thereto. The jaw heads 14 are supported and guideddurjoumalled within blocks 19, which in turn are slldably mounted withinelongated openings 30,

formed in the sides of the yoke-carriage 69, with ing their longitudinalmovement by the pin I5,

compressible coil springs 8|,arranged at the rear of the blocks 88, tooppose the forward longitudinal movement of the yoke-carriage 69 withrespect to the blocks 88. The lower jaw head 14 is provided with a pin82, rigidly secured thereto, and arranged to engage a stationary stoppin 83 rigidly attached to the guide ontrack 65. Jaws 84 are rigidlymounted upon the jaw heads 14, and preferably detachably connectedtherewith so that a different pair of jaws 84 may be employed, whendesired, and each jaw has a set of preferably V-shaped teeth 85extending longitudinally thereof. The apexes 86 of each set of teeth 85are accurately equi-distantly spaced, and the apexes of one set ofV-shaped teeth are arranged in alignment with the apexes 86 of the otherset of V-shaped teeth, Figure 8, there being means to laterally adjustthe jaws 84 upon the jaw-heads, in the form of screw 81 so that the setsof apexes 86 are brought into accurate alignment and maintained in suchalignment. It might be stated at this point that the V-shaped teeth 85form transverse V-shaped notches or grooves 85' in the opposite sides ofeach pair, of side rods 88, Figure 811. When the jaws 84 move inwardlyto formthese notches or grooves and while engaging with the pair of siderods, they do not partake of longitudinal movement with relation to theside rods, whereby there is no tendency to laterally displacethe siderods. The V-shaped grooves 85, Figure 8a, are accurately equi-distantlyspaced, and serve to hold the grid wires against lateral creeping whenthe welding jaws force them toward the side rods. These grooves alsoafiord two welding contact points between the side rods and the gridwires.

The numeral 89 designates an expansible mandrel, Figures 1, 4, and 6 to20, shown as cylindrical for the purpose of illustration, although itmay be of a different shape. drel includes oppositely arranged rear andforward sections 98 and 9 I, rigidly attached to blocks 92 and 93,respectively. Arranged between the. sections 98 and 9| are upper andlower sections 94 and 95, carried by bases 96 and 91, respectively,having outer straight edges, as shown. A split resilient ring 98surrounds the inner ends of the mandrel sections, and a split resilientring 98 engages within an annular groove 99 formed in the free end ofthe expansible mandrel. The function of these rings is to hold themandrel sections together and to contract them after they are expandedand released. The block 92 is rigidly mounted upon a slide I88 by meansof screws IM or the like, while the block 93 is slidably mounted uponthe slide I 88 and is urged inwardly toward the block 92 by means of acompressible coil spring I82, engaging a pin I82, operating in anelongated slot I83 and rigidly secured to the block 93. A cap-plate I 83is arranged above the blocks 92 and 93 and is held in place by thescrews IN. This cap-plate permits of the transverse sliding movement ofthe block 93 toward and from the block 92, but holds this block againstany turning movement upon its longitudinal axis, and the slide I88 andthe cap-plate I83 engage the straight edges of the bases 96 and 91, whenthe mandrel sections 94 and 95 approach the end of their expandedpositions, and retain these mandrel sections in the normal position withrespect to turning movement upontheir longitudinal axes, if there hasbeen any slight tendency for such displacement. The mandrel sections 98and 9| are provided with shallow grooves or scores I84, which coact Thisexpansible manwith the side rods, to properly center the side rods onthe mandrel. Arranged near and spaced from the expansible mandrel 89 isa companion mandrel element I85, which is not expansible, and which isrigidly mounted upon the block 92. The side rods 88 are passed betweenthe expansible mandrel 89 and the mandrel element I85, in a manner to bemore fully described. The expansible mandrel is tubular and hasataperedbore I86 which is extended throughthe inner faces of the blocks 92 and93, for the reception of a tapered expanding element or wedge I81,provided at its rear end with an apertured ear I88, connected with aslide I89, by means of a screw H8 or the like.

The numeral III designates a pair of vertical oppositely arrangedwelding jaws, Figures 3a, 9, and 10, which are rigidly attached to andinsulated from vertical slides II2, operating in stationary guides H3,and these guides are rigidly attached to the upstanding plate 2I. Eachslide I I2 is provided at its outer end with a pair of pins H4, rigidlysecured thereto, and slidably operating within openings II 5, formed ina head II6, rigidly secured to a lever II1. Compressible coil springs .II8 surround the pins I I4 beneath the head H6, and the pins II4 carrystop caps H9 at their outer ends, with washers I28. Any suitable numberof shims I2I may be arranged between the top of the slide H2 and thesprings H8. The welding jaws III are connected with the opposite sidesof a transformer-by a suitable circuit, and the circuit is closed forproviding a current for the welding operation, for a short period, suchas from one to two cycles. The welding jaws are sufliciently wide toextend across the pair of side rods 88 and properly force the grid wiresinto engagement therewith. The welding jaws are moved inwardly by theyielding action of the springs II 8, and when the grid wires and theadjacent portions. of the side rods fuse or become plastic, the springsII8 cause the welding jaws to "follow these parts, thereby effecting asatisfactory weld.

Means are provided, Figures 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, to

holding means comprises vertical slides I22, op-

erating within stationary guides I23. The guides I23 are bolted to theguides H3, and in order that the guides I 23 may be horizontallyadjusted, I contemplate arranging shims I23 of different widths betweenthe guides I23 and I I3. Since the guides I23 control the plane in whichthe slides I22 of the side rod holding devices operate, and since therotary cutters must. operate within the recesses I29, I also providemeans to horizontally adjust the slide I36, including a shim I35, theguide I35 being held in place by bolts I36. It is thus seen that theside rod holding means and the grid wire cutting means are adjustableinto proper alignment and are adjustable from the welding position,which is a fixed position. This adjustment is necessary as the size ofthe grid maybe varied. The slides I22 are vertically movable, toward andfrom each other and are shifted vertically by heads I24 carried bylevers I25. A bolt I26 has a swivelled connection with the head I24, andits inner end has screw-threaded engagement with the slide 122, as shownat I21, whereby the slide may be adjusted toward andfrom the head I24,and the slide is locked in the adjusted position by lookholding jawsI30.

but have screw-threaded engagement with the slide I22, and are adaptedto hold the slide in the adjusted position. Each slide is provided witha main recess I29, and a pair of depending holding or gripping jaws I30,the inner ends of which are slightly spaced, and the jaws I30 areadapted to engage with the pair of adjacent side rods 88. The jaws I30preferably converge downwardly. Each slide I22 has a supplementalholding jaw I3I arranged upon one side thereof, to move therewith. Theconnection is preferably adjustable so that the supplemental holding jawmay be adjusted both vertically and horizontally with relation to theslide I22.- To effect this, a dove tailed tongue I32 is provided,preferably integral with the slide I22, and this dove tailed tongue isvertically inclined, as shown in Figure 3a. The dove-tailed tongueoperates within a dove-tailed groove I33, also horizontally inclined,and formed in an intermediate plate I33, which is rigidly and detachablysecured to the supplemental jaw I3I by screw or screws I34, passingthrough a head I35a. The head I35a will vary in thickness depending uponthe desired distance between the jaw I3I and the jaws I30, as may berequired with a grid of a given width. When the distance is to bevaried, the jaw I3I is removed and another jaw I3I placed upon the plateI33, and the head I35a of the desired thick ness being thereby obtained.The jaw I3I is vertically adjusted by means of screws I34, engaging theslide I22, with their heads engaging the plate I33. -The supplementaljaws I3I are arranged between the welding jaws III and the pairs ofholding jaws I30, and engage the pair of adjacent side rods next to thepair of side rods, then arranged-at the point of cutting.

The cutting means, Figures 1, 2, and 4, comprises a stationaryhorizontal guide I35, rigidly supported from the plate 2I and this guidereceives or holds a horizontal movable cutter carriage or slide I36.This carriage or slide is provided at its inner end with a pair ofspaced arms I31, with a groove I30 between them, and the arms I31 areconnected by a transverse adjusting screw I39, the purpose of which isto move the arms I31 slightly toward each other for effecting a slightadjustment between the cutting edges of the rotary cutters I40. Theserotary cutters are mounted in the forked ends of arms I31 and arecarried by pins I. The rotary cutters are adapted to be shifted into themain recesses I29 so that the rotary cutters are moved longitudinally ofthegrid throughout substantially its entire length, and will cut thegrid wires, between the adjacent side rods, in succession, both top andbottom. When this is done, the leading grid is completed and will dropfrom the presence of the These rotatable cutters not only cut thegridwires but serve to bend them inwardly and roll them about the sides ofthe side rods.

In Figure 11, I have shown a modified form of clamping jaws andsupplemental clamping jaws, and a modified form of cutting means. Thenumeral I46 designates supplemental clamping.

jaws, suitably attached to the slides I22, and corresponding to the jawsI3I. The slides I22 are provided with recesses I 41', receiving theheads I48 of pairs of clamping jaws I49, which are longitudinallyadjustable with relation to the slides I22, such adjustment beingopposed by yielding means I50, such as rubber. Cutting blades I5I' arearranged between the jaws I49,

and are rigidly clamped tothe slides I22, by screws I52 or the like. Thejaws I49 normally project inwardly beyond the blades I5I' and beyond theends of the supplemental jaws I46.

When the slides I22 move inwardly, jaws I49 first engage the adjacentpair of side rods 88,

I and the rubber I50 will yield upon the further inward movement of theslides I22, permitting blades I5I' to cut the grid wires between theside rods and jaws I46 to engage their adjacent side rods as soon as the'grid wires have been cut.

The numeral I42 designates a main cam shaft, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4,journalled in bearings I43, and mounted upon the plate 2|. This camshaft is .driven by any suitable means.

The lever 13 is pivoted at I45 to a stationary bracket I46, rigidlymounted upon the face plate 2 I, and this lever extends downwardly belowthe pivot I45 and carries a roller I41, operating within the'cam grooveI48 of a cam I49, which is rigidly mounted upon cam shaft I42 forrotation thereto, and this crank is provided at its free end with aroller I56, operating within a cam groove I51 of a cam I50. It is thusseen that means are provided to shift the slide I longitudinally inopposite directions and during this movement the slide I09 is stationarywith relation to the slide I00, and the mandrel 89, as a whole, isshifted longitudinally, to bring the same into or out of the grid.During the operation of the machine, after the mandrel is expanded toshape or stretch the grid, it is shifted outwardly to withdraw the samefrom the grid, and must then be shifted rearwardly at a right angle toits withdrawing movement, after which it is again shifted into thenextgrid. In order that the mandrel may be shifted rearwardly at a rightangle to its withdrawing movement, the slide I00 is mounted upon a lowerslide I59, having a removable side I 60. The lower slide I59 also hasan'upwardly flaring slot I6I, for the reception of the upper end oflever I52 and the segmental rack II. The lower slide I59 is in turnmounted upon a stationary track or guide I62, carried by a plate I63bolted to the face plate 2I This track I62 has a recess I62 ofsufficient length to permit of the proper movement of the lever I52,during its movement upon the rock shaft I53. A wear plate I64 ispreferably provided between the slide I59 and the track or guide I62.The means to shift the lower slide I59, comprises a pair of pins I65,rigidly connected therewith, and slidable within openings I66, formed inthe face plate 2I, and the pins I65 are rigidly connected upon theopposite or rear side of the face plate with a plate I61, carryingknuckles I60,-which are spaced, and carrying a pin I69, operating withinthe upper forked end of a lever I10. This lever is pivoted between itsends, as shown at I", with a yoke I12, which is-held stationary and ispreferably vertically adjustable, to raise or lower the pivot I1I,operating within the slot I1I' in the lever I10. The function ofvertically shifting the pivot "I is to adjust the stroke of the upperend of the lever I10. The yoke I12 is provided at i v r 9,884,160 itsendwith a headed stud m, operating within slot I15 formed in a bracket I18,in turn rigidly mounted upon the face plate 2|. This bracket hasapertured ears I11, having screw-threaded engagement with adjustingscrews I18, engaging above and below the yoke I12. It is thus seen thatby manipulation of these adjusting screws, the yoke may be verticallyadjusted and locked at a selected elevation. The lever I18 is providedat its lower end with a roller I18, operating within a cam groove I88 ofa cam wheel I8I rigidly mountedupon the cam shaft I42.

Means are provided to move the slide I88, including upstanding aperturedears I82, rigidly mounted upon the slide I88, and these ears I82 carry atransverse horizontal pin I83, upon which is pivoted a bell crank leverI84, including upwardly diverging arms I85 and I88, and a shortdepending arm I81. The arm I81 has a rounded end I88, operating within arecess I88, formed in the slide I88. The arm I85 carries at its free enda roller I88, and the arm I86 carries at its free end a roller I8I. Itis thus seen that when the bell crank lever I84 is turned upon its pivotI83, the slide I88 will be moved longitudinally.

Arranged near and above the rollers I88 and I8I are horizontal rockshafts I82 and I83, respectively, joumalied in elongated bearings I84,which are rigidly mounted upon the. face plate 2I. These rock shafts arefree to turn but cannot partake of longitudinal movement. At theirforward ends, rock shafts I82 and I83 are provided respectively withcams I85 and I88, rigidly secured thereto, and these cams are arrangedto engage rollers I88 and I8I, respectively. The rock shaft I82 isprovided at its rear end with a crank I81, rigidly secured thereto, andthis has pivotal connection at I88 with a link I88, extending downwardlyand provided at its lower end with a roller 288, operating within thecam groove 28I of the cam wheel 282, in turn rigidly mounted upon thecam shaft I42 for rotation therewith. In a corresponding manner, therock shaft I83 is provided at its rear end with a crank 283, rigidlysecured thereto, and this crank is pivotally connected at 284 with adepending link 285, provided at its lower end with a roller 288,operating within the cam groove 281 of the cam wheel 288, in turnrigidly mounted upon the cam shaft I42, for rotation therewith. The camwheel 282 serves to actuate the lever I84 to withdraw the expandingelement I81, while the cam wheel 288 serves to operate the lever I 84for moving the expanding element I81 forwardly for expanding theexpansible mandrel. The expanding element I81 partakes of two inward orexpanding movements, the first to slightly expand or stretch the gridwires of the grid, before welding, and to again further expand orstretch the grid wires of the welded grid, to size the grid. Therefore,the cam groove 281 has an initial raised and expanding face 288 and asecond or completing expanding face 2I8, such faces engaging theroller286.

The upper head iii of the upper welding jaw I I I is rigidly connectedwith the bar I I1, including a horizontal portion 2 and a verticalportion 2 I2, operating in a stationary guide 2I3, attached to the faceplate 2 I. At its lower end, the vertical portion 2I2 of the slide baris provided with a horizontal extension 2I4, carrying at its end aroller 2I5, operating in the cam groove 2I6 of a provided at its lowerend with a horizontal extension 2I8,. carrying a roller 228 operating inthe same cam groove 2I3. Particular attention is called to the fact thatthe rollers 2 I5 and 228 are diametrically oppositely arranged in thevcam groove 2 I6, and will be simultaneously acted upon by the raisedportions-22I so that they are moved simultaneously to the openedposition and are also simultaneously moved to the closed position.

The means for raising and lowering the heads I24 are now-to bedescribed. Th upper head I24 is rigidly connected with a vertical slidebar 222, through the medium of a horizontal portion 223, and bar 222operates within a stationary guide 224. At its lower end, bar 222 has ahorizontal extension 225, carrying a roller 225 at its free endoperating within a cam groove 221 of a cam wheel 228. The lower head I24is rigidly connected with a vertical slide bar 228, operating within astationary guide 238, and provided at its lower end with a horizontalextension 23I carrying the roller 232 at its free end, and this rolleroperates within the same cam groove 221. Particular attention is calledto the fact that the rollers 228 and 232 are diametrically oppositelyarranged and are therefore adapted to be simultaneously acted upon bythe raised portions 233 of the cam groove, whereby the slides I22 areadapted to be simultaneously moved to the opened position and alsosimultaneously moved to the closed position.

' Means are provided to movethe slide I 38 carrying the rotary cutters.Such means comprises a trumiion or pin 234, rigidly secured to the slideI38, and engaging within the forked end of a vertically swinging lever235, pivotally supported at 236, upon a stationary bracket 231. At itslower end, lever 235 has a roller 238, operating within a cam groove 238of a cam wheel 248. The cam groove is circular throughout substantiallythree-fourths of its circumferenceandalso includes a shifting portion 2,extending throughout the remainder of its circumference. By thisremainderof the revolution of the cam shaft 2.: The cam wheel 248 isrigidly mountedupon a transverse shaft 242, journalled at a stationarybearing 243 and this shaft carries a bevelled gear 244, rigidly securedthereto, and driven by a bevelled gear 245, rigidly mounted upon the camshaft I42. The bevelled gears 244 and 245 are shown as of the samediameter, but the invention is not restricted to this ration as the samemay be variedas found advantageous.

A hand wheel 248 is rigidly mounted uponthe transverse shaft 242 and maybe manually operated to turn the machine over, or to adjust the same forthe starting operation.

The side rods 88 are normally in the form of continuous rods which arefed intermittently for a length depending upon the desired length of theside rods of the grid. Any suitable feeding means may be employed andfor the purpose of illustration, I have shown the feeding means asincluding rotary feeding rollers 241, driven by any suitable means. Theside rods 88 are fed through a stationary tubular guide 248, having abore to snugly slidably receive the side rods and retain them inparallel relation and substantially contacting. Upon each feedingmovement of the side rods, such side rods are projected forwardly uponthe stationary guide 248 and a length of the side rods is provided, asrequired for the grid. The projected portions of the side rods areunsupported except by the stationary guide 248.

and there may be some tendency for the free ends of the side rods toslightly spread or separate. Means are provided to move such free endsinwardly into substantial contacting relation, when the welding jawsstart upon 'the closing movement, Figure 311, so that the side rods arein close or contacting relation before the welding :Iaws are completelyclosed. This means comprises a shifting element 248 rigidly attached tothat end of the lower welding jaw III remote from the stationary guide248. The shifting device '248 is laterally'spaced from the upper weldingjaw and will not contact therewith when the welding jaws approach eachother. The shifting device includes sides 250, having slightly inclinedfaces 25I, which converge slightly downwardly and serve to shift theside rods inwardly toward each other. After the welding operation hasbeen com;- pleted, the side rods are cut by cutters 252, ac-

tuated by any suitable means.

The operation of the machine and the practice of the method inconnection therewith is as follows:

Side rods 88 are arranged between. the upper and lower sets of gridwires 21, Figure a, which pass through the upper andlower combs, and themachine is turned over so that such side rods are welded to the gridwires. The machine is now manipulated so that the welded and out siderods 88 are arranged in advance of the expansible mandrel 89, Figuresa", 9, 10, which is now in the inner starting position. When the machineis set into operation, the mandrel now moves forwardly from position Ato position B, Figure b, thereby advancing the sets of grid wires andthe attached side rods into the next step position, and the man: drelnow moves laterally from between the grid wires, Figure b, and thenrearwardly of the grid wires, Figure b", but is still arranged laterallyoutside of the grid wires. During this movement, the side rods 88 areagain fed forwardly and are in alignment with the space between theexpansible mandrel 89 and the auxiliary mandrel I 08, Figure c. The siderods are now supported at the guide 248 with their forward ends free.With the expansible mandrel still arranged laterally exteriorly of thegrid wires, the notching operation occurs, Figure 0, which is effectedby the upper end of the lever 13 moving forwardly for carrying theyoke-carriage 89 forwardly so that pin 82 engages stop pin 83, at whichtime jaws 84' will be arranged above and below the side rods. Thelongitudinal movement of the laws 84 stops when pin 82 engages stop pin83, but the yoke-carriage 88 continues to move forward slightly so thatpin 18 engages bevelled faces 11, spreading the rear ends of levers l8,and closing the laws 84 so that the teeth 85 produce the grooves ornotches upon the opposite sides of the side rods. As soon as thesenotches are formed, the upper end of the lever 13 swings in an oppositedirection, yokecarriage 89 moves rearwardly, the expanding force isremoved from the levers 16, and jaws 84 open and then move rearwardlyand assume the position at the rear of the combs, as shown in Figure 9.After this notching operation has been completed and the jaws 84 havemoved rearwardly out of the way, Figure 0'', the expansible mandrelmoves inwardly between the upper and lower sets of grid wires, and theside rods 88 are received in the space between the mandrel 89 and theauxiliary mandrel I05. The welding jaws accuse III, auxiliary clampingjaws HI, and clamping jaws I22, now move inwardly, Figure d, and thewelding jaws force the grid wires toward the pair of side rods 88 sothat such grid wires enter the grooves and are clamped to the side rods.Figure d shows the three sets of clamping devices in the closedposition, welding jaws III holding the .pair of side rods 88, clampingjaws I22 holding the leading side rod, while there are no side rodsbetween the auxiliary clamping. jaws I3I. In the beginning, the singleside rod 88 was applied to the forward side of the expansible mandrelinstead of at the rear of the expansible mandrel and between it and themandrel element, and hence this single rod had already been advanced tothe second or B position, and when the mandrel was advanced, as stated,the single rod was shifted to the third or 0 position, between jaws I22.After the first complete grid has been made, there will be no absence ofside rods at position B, Figure d', as clearly shown in Figure d". Whenthe parts are in the positions stated, Figures d and d", the mandrel 89is now first slightly expanded,

to place the grid wires under suitable tension, and

this first expansion is eifected by the slide I09 moving toward the gridwires through the medium of the swinging movement of the lever I22,

when roller 201 engages the smaller hump 209.

The mandrel will be maintained in this first expanded position duringthe welding operation, which follows immediately after such initialexpansion. As the lower welding jaw approaches the side rods, theshifting device 249 has its face 25I brought into engagement with thefree ends of the side rods 88 and these side rods are accordinglyshifted laterally toward each other and returned to the close orcontacting position if there is any tendency for them to separate. Whenthe welding jaws engage the grid wires, as stated, such grid wires areforced into the notches upon the side rods, and these notches accuratelyhold the grid wires against lateral displacement, so that there is noopportunity for the grid wires'to, creep laterally as the welding jawsforce them into contact with the side rods. l'he welding is effectedafter the clamping of the grid wires and the initial expansion of themandrel to place the grid wires under tension, and such weldingis-effected rapidly, ordinarily from one to two cycles. As explained,the welding jaws are moved inwardly by a yielding force and they willfollow through when the grid wires and side rods yield, due to the heattreatment. The welding current remains on for from one to two cycles,and after the welding operation, the welding jaws I I I, jaws iii andI22 move outwardly to the open position, Figure e, so that the mandrelmay be moved forwardly in a' direction longitudinally of the sets ofgrid wires, whereby the pair ofside rods welded to the grid wires willbe shifted forwardly to the next step or position B. During this forwardmovement of the mandrel, the mandrel is expanded the second time, Figuree, by the roller 208 engaging the larger cam projection 2 I0 whereby thegrid is stretci ed and sized, and as soon as the roller 208 moves off ofthe high portion of the cam 2I0, the mandrel is collapsed, Figure e", sothat it may be shifted laterally from between the sets of grid wires.The collapsing of the mandrel is effected while the roller 200,operating within the cam groove 20I, whereby cam I shifts arm I85 of thebell crank lever I84 in an opposite direction, moving slide I09 in anopposite direction, to retract expanding element I01, The next step inthe operation is the withdrawing of the collapsed mandrel from betweenthe grid, which is effected by the outward movement of the slide I00, asexplained, and as the mandrel moves from within the grid, the slide I36is shifted toward the sets of grid wires and the rotary cutters I40 moveinto-the recesses I29 and cut the upper and lower sets of grid wires,Figure f, the grid wires in each set being cut in succession. Duringthecutting action, the jaws I22 are in the inner holding position and thecutters I40 move into and out of the recesses I29, before the jaws I22begin to open. The expansible mandrel now moves rearward-1y to assumethe starting position, Figures ,1 and f, to be again shifted inwardlybetween the sets of grid wires, and to receive the next pair of siderods within the passage between the expansible mandrel and the mandrelele- 'ment. The cycle of operation is repeated at this point, thewelding jaws descending and welding thegrid wires to the trailing pairof side rods, the expansible mandrel again moving forwardly a step toadvance the grid wires, and the rotary cutters cutting oi the leadingcompleted grid, Figure 1'. The action of the rotary cutters not onlycuts the grid wires, but serves to bend the cut ends inwardly, androlling the same downwardly, about the side rods. The slide I36 carryingthe rotary cutters, moves inwardly and outwardly of the recesses 29 in asubstantially, continuous manner, and this occurs at intervals, asexplained. The holding jaws I22 and the auxiliary jaws I3I move togetherand these jaws move substantially simultaneously with the welding jawsIII and in the same direction.

While it is preferred to operate the several units of the machine, suchas the notch producing mechanism, the clamping and welding mechanism,and the cutting mechanism, by the cam operated means shown anddescribed, yet the invention is not restricted to such form of operatingmeans, as other means may be employed to I actuate these units in propertimed order.

In the modified form of machine, Figures 20 to 30, the expansiblemandrel 89 remains identical as shown and described in connection withFigures 16, 17, and 18 and the companion mandrel element I05 is alsoprovided, arranged in the same relation to the mandrel 89. The samemeans is employed to expand the mandrel 89, and the mandrel unit ismounted upon the same slide I00, which partakes of the same movements,but in a different timed order, as will be explained.

The companion mandrel element I05 is provided upon its fiat face 255with a groove 256, extending longitudinally thereof. A sleeve or slide251 is provided, having an opening 258 to slidably receive the companionmandrel element I05, and the sleeve 251 is provided upon the fiat faceof the opening 258 with a key or rib 259, rigidly secured thereto, andthis key is 'slidable within the groove 256. It is thus seen that thesleeve or slide 251 cannot turn upon the companion mandrel element I05by'virtue of the key 259 and groove 256. The fit between the key and thegroove is preferably extremely accurate, thus preventing any turningmovement of the sleeve 251 upon the companion mandrel element I05.Rigidly connected with the sleeve or slide 251 is a horizontal arm 260,extending longitudinally of the companion mandrel element I05 andprovided at its free end with a lateral extension 26I, to which isrigidly secured a pin 262, toengage a stationary stop 263. In order thatthe sleeve or slide 251 may not move so freely upon the companionmandrel element I05 as to be accidentally displaced'longitudinallythereon, I provide a leaf spring 264, attached to the arm 260 by a setscrew 265 or the like, and-this leaf spring is arranged to frictionallyengage the companion mandrel element I05. The sleeve 0 slide 251 isprovided upon its free or outer en with a recess 266 which is ellipticalin horizontal cross-section, and

has its longitudinal axis arranged horizontally. The recess has an outerflaring portion 261. increasing in size outwardly or forwardly. The pairof side rods 88, when fed forwardly, by means to be described, enter theflaring portion 261 and are guided thereby into the elliptical recess266, so that the free ends of these side rods are held in the samehorizontal plane, thereby overcoming any tendency for one rod to creepupon the top of the other, which mightflpossibly occur, if they are notso held. The recess 266 also keeps the free ends of these rods'fromseparating, and the side rods substantially contact throughout theirlength. The side rods, after'being passed between the sets of grid wiresand into the passage of the mandrel unit and before welding, are held atone end of-the mandrelby a stationary guide 283' and at the opposite endof the mandrel by the slide 251, and the side rods therefore cannot bedisplaced. As a result of this construction the side rods may be spacedfrom the elements 89 and I05, when held in the passage of the mandrelunit. This will enable the welding jaws to effect the welding, withoutliability of contacting with elements 89 and I05.

The side rods 88 are fed in the form of continuous rods at thefirstposition A. The side rod feeding means comprises a stationary guide268, upon which is mounted a reciprocatory carriage 269, which is movedlongitudinally in opposite directions for a distance corresponding tothe selected length of the out side rods. The carriage 269 may be movedby any suitable means, operating in proper timed order, which mayinclude a link 269' connected therewith. Preferably formed. integralwith the carriage 269 is a head 210 included in a side rod grippingdevice. This head has an elliptical opening 21I, having its longitudinalaxis horizontally arranged in a manner corresponding to the recess 266,and of a size to snugly slidably receive the pair of side-rods 88. Abovethe opening 2", the head 210 has a recess 212, tapering longitudinallyand decreasingits arrow, Figure 2 1, it is obvious that the element 212will positively grip the side rods so that they will travel'with thecarriage, but when the carriage 269 is moved in an opposite direction,the

element 213 will release the side rods so that 2 they will remainstationary while the carriage ismoved away from the grid wires. Thecarriage 269 also has an extension or lug 214, having an opening 215formed therein, to adjustably re-- ceive a shifting rod 216, to beclamped to the lug by a set screw 211. This shifting rod extendsforwardly beyond the head 210 and will engage the upper portion of thespring 264, and shift the slide 251 rearwardly upon the companionmandrel element I05. The side rods would shift the slide 251 rearwardly,in the absence of the shifting rod 216, but the purpose of the shiftingrod is to shift the slide 251 and thereby take the strain off of theside rods, which might possibly be bent or dis: torted, to some extent,if they were employed to the notching deuice embodying the pivoted jawheads 14, Figures 9 and 10, which operate upon the side rods after theyhave been positioned between the grid wires, is not employed, andopposed vertical reciprocatory notching jaws 218 are used. Thesevertical notching jaws 218 are reciprocated toward and from each otherby any suitable means, in a manner similar to the reciprocation of thewelding jaws II I. The reciprocating notching jaws 218 are provided upontheir inner ends with equi-distantly spaced teeth 219, to form thegrooves or notches 85 in the side rods 88, Figure 8a. In the presentmodification, the notching of the side rods is done before they are fedinto position between the sets of grid wires 31, and to effect thisoperation, the notching jaws 218 are disposed upon one side of the setsof grid wires, between the sets of grid wires and with the uppernotching jaw 218. These plates serve as guide means for the side rods 88as they are fed longitudinally with respect to the notching jaws. Thenotching jaws 218 are provided upon their ends and outwardly of theteeth 219 with spring-pressed ejectors 28I, Figures 25 and 26, urgedoutwardly by springs 282. The function of these ejectors is to free theguide rods from the teeth 219, should there be any tendency 40 for theside rods to stick to these teeth, after the completion of the notchingprocess.

In this form of the invention, the means to cut the side rods after theyhave passed into position between the sets of grid wires 31, isillustrated as comprising a pair of reciprocatory blades 283, arrangedbetween the notching jaws 218 and the sets of grid wires.

The same welding jaws I I, jaws I3I, and holding jaws I22, Figure 3a,and means to support the sets of grid wires in spaced relation, areemployed, with the same means to cut the grids after completion.

In the practice of the method by the operation of the form of apparatusshown in Figures 20 to 31, a first pair of side rods are welded to thesets of grid wires 31 and cut, and the machine is manipulated so thatthe side rods are placed in advance of and upon the expansible 'mandrel89, as explained in connection with the first form of the invention. Themachine is now adjusted so that the expansible mandrel 89 is at the siderod feeding position A, and has been shifted between the sets of gridwires 31, Figure 28. This has been done before the side rods 88 are fedinto the position between the sets of grid wires, and this operationdiffers in this respect from the first form of the machine. By the timethat the expansible mandrel 89 has reached the position shown in Figure28, the notching jaws 218 are moved toward the side rods,producing thenotches 85', and then separated, thus freeing the side rods. While thenotching jaws 218 were feed carriage 269 moved rearwardly to the end,

of its travel, and when the notching jaws 218 moved apart to releasetheside rods, carriage 269 moved forwardly to the end of its travel,thereby shifting the notched side rods forwardly into the passagebetween the expansible mandrel 89 and companion mandrel I05. Figure 28shows the carriage 269 in the rear starting position, while Figure 29shows the carriage 269 in the forward position. As soon as the side rodsbegin to move forwardly, their free ends enter the recess 266 and theyare held against separation and also in the same horizontal plane. Theside rods 88 project longitudinally beyond the shifting rod 216, for ashort distance, so that the ends of the side rods 88 may enter therecess 266 before the shifting rod 216 starts to shift the slide 251,but the side rods 88 do not contact with the bottom wall of the recess266. The rod 216 shifts the slide 251 forwardly upon the mandrel elementI05, until it assumes the 'position shown in Figures 20 and 29, and inthis position the pin 262 is spaced from the stop 263 a sufficientdistance, so that the slide will first move with the mandrel elementI85, to withdraw the ends of the side rods from within the recess 266,

and this movement of the' slide 251 is stopped when the pin 262 contactswith the stop 263. After the rods are shifted in place between the setsof grid wires and within the passage of the expansible mandrel 89, theforward ends of the side rods are being held within therecess 266, whilethe side rods are also being held by the stationary guide 283'. Thewelding jaws then move inwardly to engage the grid wires and force theminto the notches 85 and weld the grid wires to the side rods. After thiswelding action, the welding jaws separate to release the side rods andthe blades 283 are. actuated to cut the side' rods. The welding occursin about two cycles, and the welding jaws may be still in engagementwith the side rods, during the cutting action, if desired. After thecutting action and the movement of the welding jaws to the openposition, the mandrel 89 is now shifted forwardly from position 'A,Figure 29, to position B, Figure 30, for effecting the step feeding ofthe grid wires. When the mandrelis shifted to this position, it is stillbetween the sets of grid wires and the pin 262 is spaced from and hasthe stop 263 in its path of travel. When the mandrel 89 is shiftedlaterally with respect to the grid wires, Figure 31, the slide 251 firstmoving with the element I85 to release the side rods, and the pin 282subsequently engaging the stop 263, holds the sleeve 251 againstlongitudinal movement while the companion mandrel element I05 is movedlongitudinally outwardly, with the result that the sleeve 251 is againlocated at the forward end of the companion mandrel element I05. Themandrel 89 is again moved rearwardly to position A, travelling understop 263, and will again be shifted at position A between the sets ofgrid wires, before the side rods are again fed into the position betweenthe, sets of grid wires. It is thus seen that in the modified form ofthe invention, the mandrel is first shifted to a position between thesets of grid wires, position A, and the side rods are subsequently fedbetween the sets of grid wires, at position A, which is just theopposite of the operation occurring in connection with the first form ofthe invention. The mandrel will partake of the same movements, but thesemovements and the feeding 'for the side rods would be differentlytimed,'as is obvious. After each grid is formed upon the expansiblemandrel, and stretched or expanded thereon, as described in connectionwith the first form of the invention, the rotary cutters I40 cut thegrid wires between the adjacent side rods 88 and the leading grid isthus out from the next be taken as preferred examples of the same andthat various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supportingin spaced relation sets of spaced grid wires arranging and supportingside rods transversely of and between the sets of grid wires, formingsets of spaced groovesupon the opposite sides of each side rod and soarranging such grooves that they are in general alignment with thespaced grid wires, and moving the sets of grid wires toward the oppositesides of each side rod and causing the grid wires to enter the grooves,and attaching the grid wires while within the grooves to the side rods.

2. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supportingin spaced relation sets of spaced grid wires, arranging and supportingside rods transversely of and between the sets of grid wires, formingsets of accurately spaced groovesupon the opposite sides of each siderod, moving the sets of grid wires toward the opposite sides of eachside rod and causing the grid wires to enter the grooves, and weld-- ingthe grid wires while within the grooves to the sides of the rods.

3. In the method of producing radio tube grids,

Y the steps of supporting side rods, forming accurately equi-distantlyspaced grooves upon the opposite sides of each side rod, arranging setsof spaced grid wires upon opposite sides of the side rods and moving thegrid wires into the grooves, and attaching the grid wires while withinthe grooves to the side rods.

5. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supportinga side rod having accurately equi-distantly spaced grooves upon one sidethereof, arranging a set of spaced grid wires upon one side of the siderod and moving the grid wires into the grooves, and attaching the gridwires while within the grooves to the side rod.

6. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supportinga pair of side rods having accurately spaced grooves upon thecorresponding sides thereof and holding the side rods in close relation,arranging a set of spaced grid wires upon one side of the side rods andmoving the grid 'wires into the grooves, attaching the grid wires whilewithin the grooves to the. .side rods, and then cutting the grid wiresbetween the closely arranged side rods.

7. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps ofsupportingside rods, arranging sets of spaced grid wires upon theopposite sidesot each side rod and attaching the grid wires to each siderod, and then cutting in succession the grid wires in each set of gridwir'es.,

8. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps ofsupporting-side rods, attaching a set of spaced grid wires to the siderods, and then cutting in succession the grid wires in the set. 1

9 In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supportingside rods, arranging sets of spaced grid wires upon the opposite sidesof the side rods, subjecting the sets of grid wires to a stretchingaction, attaching the sets of grid wires to the side rods, and againsubjecting the sets of grid wires to a further stretching action toshape the grid.

10. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supportingsets of grid wires and imparting to said sets a step-by-step move mentin a longitudinal direction, passing a pair of side rods transversely ofand between the sets of grid wires between each step movement,subjecting the grid'wires to a pulling action to place the same undertension, attaching the sets of grid wires to the opposite sides oftheside rods for producing a partly formed grid, stretching the grid wiresof the partly formed grid to im-- part to the same the desired size, andcutting the sets of grid wires between the side rods.

11. In. the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps ofsupporting side rods, arranging a set of spaced grid wires upon one sideof the side rods and pressing the set of grid wires into engagement withthe side rods while holding them against lateral displacement at thepoints of engagement with the side rods, and welding the grid wires tothe. side rods.

12. In a machine for producing radio tube grids, means for supportingspaced sets of spaced grid wires, means for supporting side rods betweenthe spaced sets of grid wires, means for forming spaced grooves upon theside rods while supported between the sets of grid wires, means to movethe sets of grid wires toward the side rods and into the grooves and toattach the grid wires to the side rods while'within the grooves.

13. In a machine for producing radio tube grids, means for supportingspaced sets of spaced grid wires, means for supporting side rods betweenthe spaced sets of grid wires, means for forming spaced grooves upon theopposite sides of the side rods while they are supported be tween thesets of grid wires, and welding jaws to engage the sets of grid wiresand move the same into the grooves and to weld the grid wires to theside rods. v

14. In a machine for producing radio tube grids, means for supporting asiderod, a device to form spaced grooves upon the opposite sides of theside rod including a pair of movable jaws to receive theside rod betweenthem and having teeth to form the grooves, means for supporting sets ofspaced grid wires upon opposite sides of the side rod, and means to movethe grid wires into the grooves and weld the same to the side rod. I

15. In a machine for producing radio tube grids, means for supporting aside rod at a given

